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Guide to Prescription Medications for Chronic Conditions Study Guide

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of core pharmacy practice principles. It details effective patient communication strategies, including the LEARN mnemonic and the three prime questions for medication counseling. It also covers standardized clinical documentation using the SOAP note format, the systematic Pharmacist Patient Care Process (PPCP), and the importance of monitoring vital signs such as respiratory rate. This resource is designed for students and professionals seeking to enh

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Asthma and COPD Pathogenesis and Management

Asthma Management and Prevention Medications

Medications for asthma management and prevention include inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta2-agonists, leukotriene receptor antagonists, long-acting muscarinic antagonists, and anti-immunoglobulin E.

  • Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)
  • Long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA)
  • Maintenance-and-reliever therapy (MART)
  • Anti-inflammatory reliever (AIR)
  • Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA)
  • Anti-immunoglobulin E
  • Anti-interleukin 5
  • Anti-interleukin 4 receptor alpha
  • Anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin (anti-TSLP)
  • Systemic corticosteroids
  • Short-acting inhaled beta2-agonist (SABA)
  • Short-acting antimuscarinic antagonists

COPD Definition, Diagnosis, and Assessment

  • COPD definition
  • causes and risk factors
  • GETomics
  • environmental exposures
  • diagnostic criteria
  • spirometry
  • FEV1/FVC ratio
  • clinical presentation
  • exacerbations
  • comorbid diseases
  • initial assessment goals
  • monitoring and follow-up
  • investigations
  • multimorbidity

Asthma Pathophysiology and Triggers

Understanding atopic vs. non-atopic asthma, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, and common triggers like pollution and allergens.

  • Atopic asthma
  • Non-atopic asthma
  • Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction
  • Pollution triggers
  • Allergen triggers

Prevention and Management of COPD

Key points regarding risk reduction, pharmacological and non-pharmacological maintenance treatment, management of exacerbations, multimorbidity, and emerging technologies in COPD.

  • Risk reduction
  • Smoking cessation
  • Vaccinations
  • Pharmacological maintenance treatment
  • Non-pharmacological treatment
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation
  • Long-term oxygen therapy
  • Non-invasive ventilation
  • Surgical and bronchoscopic interventional treatments
  • Palliative approaches
  • COPD exacerbations
  • Systemic corticosteroids
  • Antibiotics
  • Bronchodilators
  • Multimorbidity
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Lung cancer screening
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Telehealth

Asthma and COPD Pathogenesis and Management

  • Asthma etiology and pathogenesis
  • COPD etiology and pathogenesis
  • Atopic asthma
  • Non-atopic asthma
  • Exercise induced bronchoconstriction
  • Drug induced asthma
  • Occupational asthma
  • Asthma risk factors
  • Asthma triggers
  • Signs and symptoms of asthma
  • Pulmonary function tests
  • Spirometry
  • Forced expiratory volume (FEV1)
  • Forced vital capacity (FVC)
  • Asthma medications
  • Metered dose inhalers (MDI)
  • Dry powder inhalers (DPI)
  • Soft mist inhalers
  • Spacers and nebulizers
  • Peak flow meter

Asthma Inhaler Techniques

Teaching proper use of MDIs, DPIs, and soft mist inhalers, including the role of spacers and nebulizers.

Asthma and COPD Medications

This lecture covers asthma drugs including relievers, controllers, and additional therapies such as inhaled corticosteroids, beta agonists, and biologics.

  • Short Acting Beta2 Agonists (SABA)
  • Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)
  • Long-Acting Beta Agonist (LABA)
  • Anticholinergic
  • Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist (LTRA)
  • Anti-IgE biologic treatments
  • Maintenance oral corticosteroids
  • Methylxanthine
  • Mechanism of action (MOA)

Peak Flow Monitoring

Instructing patients on how to use a peak flow meter to manage asthma and recognize worsening symptoms.

COPD Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management

This content covers COPD pathophysiology, risk factors, symptoms, signs, and GOLD guidelines for classification and pharmacological treatment.

  • COPD pathophysiology
  • Risk factors
  • Symptoms and signs of COPD
  • GOLD guidelines
  • FEV1/FVC ratio
  • mMRC dyspnea scale
  • COPD Assessment Test (CAT)
  • Pharmacological treatment
  • LABA
  • ICS
  • Exacerbation history
  • COPD vs Asthma differentiation
  • Role of the pharmacist

Prescription Inhaler Devices and Techniques

Information regarding Metered Dose Inhalers, Dry Powder Inhalers, Soft Mist inhalers, and Nebulizers including optimal technique and drug classes.

  • Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI)
  • Dry Powder Inhalers (DPI)
  • Soft Mist inhaler
  • Nebulizers
  • Spacers and Valved Holding Chambers (VHC)
  • Optimal inhalation technique
  • Drug classes (ICS, LAMA, LABA, Anticholinergics, Beta2-agonists)
  • Oropharyngeal deposition and thrush prevention
  • Inhaler administration differences
  • Environmental impact of propellants

Asthma Action Plan and Management

An asthma action plan provides instructions on managing asthma through medications, recognizing worsening symptoms, and identifying emergency medical alerts using peak flow meter readings.

  • Asthma Action Plan
  • Green Zone
  • Yellow Zone
  • Red Zone
  • Peak flow meter
  • Personal best peak expiratory flow
  • Quick-relief medicine
  • Short-acting beta2-agonist
  • Oral steroid
  • Long-term control medicines
  • Asthma triggers

Prescription Info & Asthma/COPD

Pharmacy Counseling Fundamentals

Learning the core components of patient interaction: collecting information, assessing understanding, planning, implementation, and follow-up.

Pharmacist Patient Care Process

Understanding the systematic approach pharmacists use to provide patient-centered care, including assessment, planning, and implementation.

  • Collect
  • Assess
  • Plan
  • Implement
  • Follow-up: Monitor, Evaluate, and Adjust

Effective Communication Techniques

Mastering the use of open-ended vs. closed-ended questions and observing patient body language to improve counseling outcomes.

  • Open-ended questions
  • Closed-ended questions
  • Patient body language
  • Active listening
  • Empathy

Bridging Cultural Gaps

Learning how to identify and overcome cultural barriers to improve pharmacy practice and patient outcomes.

The Three Prime Questions

Using indication, directions for use, and expectations to ensure patient understanding and error prevention.

Cultural Competence Strategies

Developing strategies to achieve cultural competence and using the LEARN model in clinical practice.

Patient Assessment and History

Identifying the correct patient, checking allergies, family history, and social history (smoking, diet, etc.) during counseling.

CLAS Standards and Health Equity

Understanding the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) and their role in reducing health disparities.

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

Identifying non-medical factors like age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status that impact health outcomes.

Social Determinants, Cultural Competence, and Chronic Disease Management

Social Determinants of Health and Cultural Competence

This content explores social determinants of health, cultural competence, and the impact of implicit bias on pharmacy practice and patient care.

  • Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)
  • Cultural competence
  • Implicit bias
  • Cultural factors
  • Health disparities
  • CLAS standards
  • LEARN model
  • Pharmacist’s Patient Care Process
  • Race and ethnicity
  • Diversity
  • Structural factors
  • Health literacy
  • Barriers to care
  • Traditional therapies

Social Determinants and Health Equity

This content explores health disparities, health equity, and the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services.

  • APHA Oath of a Pharmacist
  • Health disparity
  • Socioeconomic status
  • Health equity
  • Equality vs Equity vs Justice
  • National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS)
  • Cultural competence
  • Health literacy
  • Ethnogeriatrics

COPD Pathophysiology and Risk

Understanding chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and the irreversible structural changes caused by irritants and tobacco smoke.

Cultural Competency and Patient Care

Effective, equitable, and respectful quality care involves cultural competency, cultural humility, and active communication strategies to improve patient outcomes.

  • Cultural competency
  • Cultural humility
  • LEARN model
  • The 4 C’s
  • Health literacy
  • Health disparity
  • Barriers to care
  • Cross-cultural issues
  • Patient safety measures
  • Communicating with diverse groups

COPD Clinical Manifestations

GOLD Pocket Guide COPD Management

A guide for health care professionals regarding the diagnosis, management, and prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

  • COPD diagnosis
  • COPD management
  • COPD prevention
  • Spirometry
  • Airflow obstruction
  • Pharmacological treatment
  • Non-pharmacological management
  • Oxygen therapy
  • Ventilatory support
  • Exacerbations
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Inhalation device choice
  • Risk factor exposure
  • Tobacco use and dependence

COPD Pharmacotherapy

Reviewing Beta-2 agonists (SABA/LABA), Anticholinergics (SAMA/LAMA), and Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) for COPD management.

Prescription Information and Pharmacy Counseling

Pharmacists provide prescription counseling using the Three Prime Questions to address indication, directions for use, and expectations from the medicine.

  • Prescription counseling
  • Nonprescription / OTC / Self-care counseling
  • Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process
  • Open-ended vs. closed-ended questions
  • Non-verbal communication
  • Three Prime Questions
  • Indication
  • Directions for use
  • Expectations from medicine
  • Final verification
  • Error prevention
  • Common adverse effects
  • Inhalation technique
  • Medical abbreviations

Respiratory Abbreviations

Mastering essential terminology: FEV1, FVC, PEF, SABA, LABA, LAMA, SAMA, and ICS.

Hyperlipidemia and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

This content covers the etiology, pathogenesis, and management of dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis through lipoprotein overview, lipid value interpretation, dietary recommendations, and medications.

  • Etiology and pathogenesis of dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis
  • Lipoprotein composition (HDL, LDL, VLDL, Chylomicrons, Apolipoprotein B)
  • Fasting lipid value interpretation
  • Friedewald calculation
  • Dietary recommendations for hyperlipidemia
  • Statin therapy intensity
  • HMG-CoA Reductase inhibitors
  • PCSK9 inhibitors
  • Bempedoic acid
  • Inclisiran
  • Bile acid sequestrants
  • Evinacumab

ASCVD Risk, Prevention, and Clinical Manifestations

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease is a chronic inflammatory disease involving plaque buildup within arteries that can lead to myocardial infarction, stroke, or critical limb ischemia.

  • Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
  • ASCVD Risk Evaluation
  • Primary Prevention
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Plaque formation
  • Myocardial infarction
  • Stroke
  • Critical limb ischemia
  • Modifiable risk factors
  • Non-modifiable risk factors
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome
  • Unstable angina
  • Cerebrovascular disease

Hyperlipidemia and Stroke Pathophysiology

Information regarding ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke types, transient ischemic attack, and the relationship between hyperlipidemia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

  • Ischemic stroke
  • Hemorrhagic stroke
  • Transient Ischemic Attack
  • Thrombotic stroke
  • Embolic stroke
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
  • Intracerebral Hemorrhage
  • Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)
  • Hyperlipidemia
  • Atherosclerotic plaque rupture

Hypertension and Heart Failure Pharmacy Practice

Etiology, pathogenesis, and management of hypertension and heart failure including regulatory systems, risk factors, and clinical practice guidelines.

  • Hypertension etiology and pathogenesis
  • Heart failure symptoms and signs
  • Blood pressure regulation systems
  • Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system regulation
  • Baroreceptor function
  • Blood pressure measurement techniques
  • Hypertension risk factors
  • Non-drug hypertension interventions
  • Antihypertensive medication classes
  • Heart failure prevalence and mortality
  • Heart failure etiologies
  • Congestion and decreased cardiac output symptoms
  • New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification
  • Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy (GDMT) for HFrEF
  • Advanced heart failure therapies

Pharmacology of Cardiovascular and Diabetic Medications

Prescription Drug Study Guide

A study guide covering ACE inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers, SGLT-2 inhibitors, Calcium Channel Blockers, Beta Blockers, Thiazide diuretics, Loop diuretics, and Potassium sparing diuretics.

  • ACE inhibitors
  • Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
  • Neprilysin Inhibitor + ARB
  • SGLT-2 inhibitors
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Beta Blockers
  • Loop diuretics
  • Potassium sparing diuretics
  • Hypertension management
  • Heart failure medication
  • Diabetes medication
  • Drug administration and titration
  • Side effects and contraindications

Cardiovascular Conditions Part 1

ASCVD and Stroke Recognition

Recognizing clinical manifestations of stroke using the FAST acronym (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) and understanding ASCVD risk.

Hyperlipidemia Management

The importance of treating hyperlipidemia to decrease the risk of clinical ASCVD events.

  • Lipid profile
  • LDL cholesterol
  • HDL cholesterol
  • Triglycerides
  • ASCVD risk factors
  • Statin therapy
  • PCSK9 inhibitors

Central Obesity and Adiposity

Understanding the role of central obesity in cardiovascular health.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Reviewing the connection between lipid levels and atherosclerotic disease.

Asthma and COPD Clinical Management

COPD Diagnosis and Management Review

Review of risk factors, diagnostic ratios, symptom scoring tools, and inhaled corticosteroid usage for COPD.

  • Smoking as a risk factor for COPD
  • Chronic Bronchitis
  • Emphysema
  • FEV1/FVC ratio
  • mMRC (modified medical research council dyspnea scale)
  • Inhaled corticosteroid usage
  • Eosinophil count

Pharmacokinetics Fundamentals and Pharmacy Calculation Principles

Pharmacy Calculation Fundamentals and Percentages

Foundational principles for pharmacy practice including volume and weight conversions and pharmaceutical percentages.

  • Volume conversions
  • Weight conversions
  • Percent weight in weight (%w/w)
  • Percent weight in volume (%w/v)
  • Percent volume in volume (%v/v)
  • Percent strength

Pharmacy Percentage and Ratio Calculations

Calculations involving percentage strength, ratio strength, and drug concentration using weight-in-volume and weight-in-weight methods.

  • %v/v
  • Percent weight-in weight
  • %w/w
  • Percentage strengths as ratios
  • Ratio strength
  • Drug concentration
  • Cross multiplication

Pharmacy Calculation Practice Problems

Practice questions involving drug dosing, concentration strengths, and solution preparations.

  • milliliters
  • mg/kg dosing
  • v/v strength
  • w/w percentage strength
  • IV infusion rates
  • ophthalmic solution concentration
  • mg/mL concentration
  • proportions
  • w/v strength
  • ointment percent concentration

Topic 2

Error-Prone Abbreviations and Dose Designations

A list of error-prone abbreviations, symbols, and dose designations that may lead to medication misinterpretation and best practices to use complete drug names.

  • Error-prone abbreviations
  • Medication misinterpretation
  • High-alert medications
  • Drug name abbreviations
  • Best practice for drug names
  • Stemmed/coined drug names

Topic 1

ASCVD Risk Factors and Hypertension Management

Hypertension Management and Pharmacology Review

Review of hypertension definitions, blood pressure measurement, sodium and potassium intake goals, and medication categories including ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics.

  • Hypertension blood pressure values
  • Sodium and potassium intake goals
  • ACE inhibitors
  • Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB)
  • Calcium channel blockers
  • Diuretics

Pharmacist Patient Care and Clinical Documentation

Pharmacy Practice Midterm Review Concepts

Review of counseling questions, SOAP note subjective sections, pharmacist patient care process, and respiratory rate ranges.

  • Counseling on prescription medications
  • SOAP note Subjective section
  • History of Present Illness
  • Past Medical History
  • Social History
  • Family History
  • Pharmacist patient care process
  • Respiratory rate

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